The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-04-27


Miller. They're their own kin, though
not very nigh; and naturally they'd go to
the funeral"
Mrs. Miller turned aside two squares to
speak to Fanny Bates, Mr.. John Coles
wife's sister. Miss Bates was seated at
her window sewing, aud Mrs. Miller
called to her:
"Say, Fanny, does your sister Cole
know that old Mrs. Cole of Barnville's
dead2"
"Dead7 Good gracious you don't say
so9" said Miss Bates, dropping her work
and leaning out of the window. ''Do
come in and tell"
"Well, can't conveniently stop jest
now, as it's time to be putting on dinner,
and Hiram's so particular. But Nv Jest
this mint heerd from Mrs. Brown that
the old lady was a-dying yesterday, when
Mrs Stebbins left Barnville, and of
course, the funeral will be tomorrow.
Wonder if your sister Cole will goC"
81 don't know as she's heard of it,
Miss Fanny Bates answered, in some ex-
citement. "But I'll go right round and
see. We never heard she was sick, or
Jane would have gone up to see her,
though commonly there amt much visit
ing between EN-"
Mrs. John Cole was busy making ap-
pie dumplings when her sister rushed into
the kitchen.
"Jane-oh, myl I'm most out o.
breath. Have you heard of old Mrs.
Coles death in Barnville2"
Mrs. John dropped the dumpling which
she was just rounding symmetrically in
the palms of her hands.
Good gracious, Fanny! you've given
me a turn. When did she die7 and how
did you hear it2"
"She was dying when Mrs. Stebbins
left Barnville yesterday, and Mrs. Miller
says the funeral will be tomorrow"
"And they never sent me word of
message! Well, that beats! But then
we ought to make allowance for folks,
when there's death in the family and
so much grief and trouble, and such a lot
of things to attend to. Besides, it
mightn't be convenient to get horse
and boy to come fifteen miles to let us
know; so all the same, we'll go to the
funeral. 'Twouldn't look friendly, nor
like kin, not to do so; and you can go
can go along with us, Fanny, being
Johns sister-in-law. They'd take it
kindly of you"
"And there's Mrs. Hill," said Fanny.
"She's some sort o. kin to the Coles on
the old mans side Maybe she and her
daughter would like to go, as they've
got carryall of their own. I'll Just run
round and let her know"
Mrs. John returned to her dumplings,
with deep sigh
''It does seem heartless and unfeeling
to be making appledumblings for dinner
and ones husbands kin lying dead in
her coffin,n she remarked to her half
grown daughter. Lucky, there's that
cake we made for Sundays meeting.
I'll take it with me- for there'll be a sight
of folks from a distance come to the
funeral, and some of 'em will have to
stay to dinner And you can get good
basket of grapes out of the garden,
Lizzie. They're early and won't come in
| amiss."
''Aud we must have plenty of white
! flowers, you know, ma, said Lizzie, in
lively excitement and anticipation; ''and
I'll wear a black sash with my white
dress, like Judge Martins daughters at
old Miss Martins funeral"
Gwen all wear our black dresses, !"
said Mrs. Cole. 1T looks more respect
full like; and I'm told it's the fashion at
funerals, even where there's no kin"
So, next morning, bright and early,
| two vehicles were seen to leave the little
village, closely crowded with black
robcd figures, most of whom carried
wreathes and punches of white flow
ers.
In this part of the country it was the
custom to have all ''buryings" at precise
/ ly one o'clock, so the party had no fear
! of being too late for the funeral.
Mr. John Cole drove his own wagon,
and Mrs Hill hers, containing her dangh-
ter and couple of neighbors, who, hav-
ing a slight acquaintance with the Barn
vile Coles, considered it but friendly
and respectful to the family TO attend
the funeral
They went at a brisk rate until they
approached Barnville, whose principal
street they entered IT proper and be-
coming funeral pace.
ut does seem to me q. if a sort o.
shadder hangs over the place to-day, y
Mrs. Hill observed, as she looked from
under her spectacles at the people pass
ing. Poor old lady! her death will be
felt, for better woman never lived"
"Look there's the house, with the
parlor-windows shet, and l declare, lit.
tie Jenny Cole carrying in cheers !"
"And Just see that pile of old ivy rub
bish at the foot of the back steps
They've been fixing up the parlor with
garlings on the walls, " said another.
And yonder's the minister, across at
the 'pothecary's, talking to Jeems Cole
himself" exclaimed Mrs. Cole. "And
he in his everyday clothes, and looking
not bit downcast. Well, / suppose
he hasn't had time 10 dress m
They alighted at the front-door, where
they were met by Master Johnny, who
suddenly boiling out, nearly Knocked
down stout Mrs. Hill before he knew it.
''Well, Johnny, how are you" said
Mrs. John, in & tone of commiseration
''And how is your poor ma, Johnnyf"
"She's very well, l thank yer, ma'am .
answered Johnny, with pdrrot- like polite
ness, while staring round upon the visit
ors with beaming countenance,
/ sgWeU JOhnnV show us the Way anC